Dalessandro's Phragmipedium
CR

Dalessandro's Phragmipedium

Phragmipedium dalessandroi

Declining

Photo: (c) Eerika Schulz, all rights reserved

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Phragmipedium dalessandroi faces severe threats from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its rarity and distinctive appearance. The species' extremely limited range in the Peruvian Andes makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction from mining activities and agricultural expansion. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures alter the cool, humid montane conditions this orchid requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This orchid inhabits cool, humid montane cloud forests and rocky outcrops in the Peruvian Andes at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters. It grows as a terrestrial or lithophytic species in areas with consistent moisture and filtered sunlight.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Dalessandro's Phragmipedium classified as Critically Endangered?
Dalessandro's Phragmipedium is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Phragmipedium dalessandroi faces severe threats from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its rarity and distinctive appearance. The species' extremely limited range in the Peruvian Andes makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction from mining activities and agricultural expansion. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures alter the cool, humid montane conditions this orchid requires.
Where does Dalessandro's Phragmipedium live?
Dalessandro's Phragmipedium occurs in Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dalessandro's Phragmipedium?
The main threats to Dalessandro's Phragmipedium are 5.3, 5.4, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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